  Joebrazier Member Username: Joebrazier Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2004 |
I have heard that in the event of a major disaster that immobilizes the Tunnel/Bridge, a portable military-style bridge exists that would connect Belle Isle to Canada and enable cross-border traffic to continue. Can anybody out there confirm this? | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1358 Registered: 11-2003 |
What would be so important about getting to Canada that couldnt happen with the Blue Water Bridge? | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 1725 Registered: 07-2004 |
The PONTOONWAY! | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 364 Registered: 01-2007 |
That would shut down river traffic? I don't think so. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 1726 Registered: 07-2004 |
Awww, another perfectly good idea destroyed by reality...  | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4674 Registered: 10-2004 |
Swinging a pontoon bridge open and closed occasionally for scheduled river traffic is possible. But more likely, semi-trailers could be broken up and sent through the larger of the two rail tunnels and reconnected with tractors on the other sides. Auto traffic would probably be restricted to government/military use. And ferries are another possibility. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 1727 Registered: 07-2004 |
Interesting intermodal possibilities. Although I kinda liked the sound of "PONTOONWAY". C'mon! Imagine it said in an echoing monster truck voice! | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 4398 Registered: 10-2003 |
Interesting scenario but I would think they would pontoon near the Ambassador Bridge to be more tied into the traffic grid. Assuming the bridge footings were in place, they would provide important anchor points against the current. However I could only imagine that happening if there was an actual battle theater in the vicinity. Most likely it would be dealt with by ferries. Nonetheless, it points out the need for big traffic crossing [non Moroun :-) of course]. If any of the crossings, the bridge in particular, were taken out it would be an economic disaster for our region. | ||
Hudkina Member Username: Hudkina Post Number: 85 Registered: 12-2004 |
There already is a ferry that connects Detroit to Windsor. It is located in Delray just south of Fort Wayne. Any truck that is carrying any type of explosives cannot use the bridge and must use the Ferry. Granted, a ferry isn't going to work for every truck. The most likely thing to happen is the trucks would either go through Port Huron or go around to Buffalo and cross there. There's no way in hell a "floating bridge" would be used as a temporary connection between the two cities. | ||
401don Member Username: 401don Post Number: 179 Registered: 11-2007 |
A terrorism attack on the tunnel or bridge is obviously not considered a serious threat by the geniuses in gov't or reverse customs would have been put into effect by now. | ||
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001 Post Number: 3141 Registered: 11-2003 |
Don't be too sure of that Don. Their "intelligence" has been proven wrong in the past several times. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6014 Registered: 08-2004 |
I would think that the strong current of the Detroit River would make a pontoon bridge all but impossible, or at least require enough bridge reinforcement to make it very unlikely. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4678 Registered: 10-2004 |
quote: Not being a proponent of any pontoons, I reckon the addition of a few anchored barges on the downstream side of a pontoon bridge would easily afford any needed support. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 2171 Registered: 10-2006 |
"Nonetheless, it points out the need for big traffic crossing [non Moroun :-) of course]. If any of the crossings, the bridge in particular, were taken out it would be an economic disaster for our region." Chances are, that if the crossings were taken out, Matty would get another bridge up and going faster than the government could... | ||
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001 Post Number: 3143 Registered: 11-2003 |
The Blue Water Bridges are under-utilized as it is. If anything did happen to the Ambassador Bridge (just like it was mentioned above), traffic would just go up to Port Huron/Sarnia instead. | ||
Jenniferl Member Username: Jenniferl Post Number: 416 Registered: 03-2004 |
I didn't know about the ferry. Is there one for pedestrians and regular cars, or just the one for trucks? | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3529 Registered: 10-2003 |
http://www.truckferry.com/ |
